Commission on the Nazarene Future holds first session
Global Ministry Center
Thursday, July 29, 2010
In 2009 a Commission on the Nazarene Future, recommended by the Board of General Superintendents, was approved during the Church of the Nazarene's General Assembly in Orlando, Florida, USA. This effort is being chaired by former Eastern Nazarene College president J. David McClung, and includes the International Church Committee recommendations for the design of a new global Manual.
    
The Commission on the Nazarene Future, focusing primarily on ecclesiology, presents an annual progress report to the Board of General Superintendents, with a final report due in 2012.

The Commission held its first meeting June 15-16, 2010, at the Global Ministry Center in Lenexa, Kansas, USA.

"The General Assembly designed the Commission on the Nazarene Future to be different from any prior Commission," reports McClung. "At our first session, we worked through those differences to design a plan to accomplish the mandate."
 
The goal of the Commission is to present to the Board of General Superintendents four documents:

  1. A report which will express a vision for the future of the Church of the Nazarene, including the changes recommended by the Commission.
  2. A draft of a "Global Manual". The draft will include Manual changes recommended by the Commission. Portions of the Manual that are not substantively changed will be updated with the goal of simplification.
  3. A draft of Amended Articles of Incorporation.
  4. A plan for implementation of the changes recommended.

According to McClung, one of the differences about the Commission on the Nazarene Future from prior commissions is it reports to the Board of General Superintendents rather than to the General Assembly. This change makes it practical for the Commission to provide interim reports and for the Board of General Superintendent to give feedback.  
 
The work plan adopted by the Commission divides the work of the Commission into three stages:

  1. In 2010, the Commission will study "What makes us Nazarene?" with the objective of identifying what things about the church should be free from change.
  2. In 2011, the Commission will address the issue of "How can the church be even more effective?"  Particular attention will be focused on the role of general superintendents, but the mandate is broad enough to allow consideration of any suggestion.
  3. At the conclusion of 2012, the Commission will present to the Board of General Superintendents a report listing the changes recommended.
 

The objective for 2012 is to finalize the language of the Global Manual and additional documents required for the Commission's final report.

McClung reports the Commission also adopted a communication plan that addresses the need for both transparency and confidentiality. A web site is currently being developed to keep the church informed about the work of the Commission and to explain how people can give suggestions. More information will be given at that time.
--NCN News
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